Countdown to Miami Dolphins Training Camp 2008: 25 Topics, 25 Days

[Rick]

^^^^ My sentiments exactly Dolfan619.......Good Call!!!!!!

[YoFuggedaboutit]

T MINUS 3 AND COUNTING!!!!!!!

Issue of the day- The 3-4 defense

The 3-4 defense, which became obsolete back in the early 90's, is making a huge comeback.  And Bill Parcells is the type who favors it.  This type of defense requires bigger defensive linemen, and quicker, more athletic linebackers.  A lot of times, it would require someone to take a risk on a "tweener", which is someone who is labeled as not strong enough to play on the D-Line and not quick enough to play linebacker. 

Former Dolphins coach Cam Cameron attempted to run that type of defense last season, but switched back to the base 4-3 after four games because it clearly wasn't working. 

How will the defense fare this season?  What type of schemes will the new coaches run?  Which defensive ends will be converted to outside linebackers?  And most importantly, do you think Parcells is getting the right type of personnel to run this defense?

Discuss.

[Doc-phin]

Here is the thing.  Now that JT is gone, we have nothing but question marks on the field this year. 

How will we do?  I can see some potential frustration against the run and deep passing.

What schemes?  None that would have been as effictive if JT was playing.

Which will be converted?  Maybe Roth (thats all).

Are we getting the right personnel?  Yes, but we have to do better.  We need better leadership!  We need a Zach Thomas type (but younger) or a Ray Lewis type and we need them sooner than later.  Can Porter fill some of that role?  Maybe, but I don't think he has the leadership skills that will motivate the whole defense.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

  Welcome back, to another edition of "25 Topics, 25 Days."  It's Day 21, and yesterday the inevitable finally happened.  Jason Taylor was traded to the Washington Redskins for a 2nd round pick in 2009, and a sixth round pick in 2010.  Originally, today's topic was going to be about whether Jason Taylor would show up on time for camp.  Well, that's no longer an issue.  So instead, I would like to know how do you define Jason Taylor's 11 seasons in Miami?  How do you view his legacy as a Miami Dolphin?

Regardless of how his career in Miami ended, he has done more than enough to justify #99 getting retired.  I couldn't think of anyone else sporting that number.  The guy would always be remembered as one of our best players ever regardless of position. 

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Regardless of how his career in Miami ended, he has done more than enough to justify #99 getting retired.  I couldn't think of anyone else sporting that number.  The guy would always be remembered as one of our best players ever regardless of position. 

If you retire #99, you should retire #54 as well. 

[DolFan619]

  Welcome back to another edition of "25 Topic, 25 Days."  It's Day 23, and we're on the cusp of Training Camp!  Today's topic, is a two part question.  Who do you believe at the end of the 2008 season will be the Miami Dolphins Offensive Player of the Year and Miami Dolphins Defensive Player of the Year?

[Rick]

  Offense......Ricky Williams     Defense......Joey Porter

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Offense- Ricky Williams or Vernon Carey

Defense- Joey Porter or Yeremiah Bell

[DolFan619]

  For the offense I would have to say Ricky Williams.  Although, Ronnie Brown could make a strong push towards the end of the season.  On defense, I have to go with Yeremiah Bell. 

[fyo]

I hope it's Ginn on offense, since that would imply that we'd found both a good #1 receiver AND a good quarterback...

More realistically, I think we'll have to settle for one of our 2 runningbacks. At this point I think it's a toss-up. I really hope Pothead still has "it" - and can take a pounding, but I want to see it before I believe it.

On defense, Porter is the obvious choice in my book.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

T MINUS 1 AND COUNTING!!!!!!

Players report tomorrow and the first practice is on Saturday!!!  The wait is almost over!!!!

Issue of the day- The new ownership. 

Ever since Wayne Huizenga took over as Dolphins owner in 1994, the Dolphins have been in a state of decline.  They have gone through seven different head coaches, failed to make it past the second round of the playoffs, and ticket prices have gone sky high while the quality of the product on the field has declined. 

Last season, Huizenga angered many fans by raising ticket prices tremendously, in some cases as much as 400%.  He was also criticized for doing a stadium makeover that many fans feel was unnecessary, meanwhile the team went off to post its worst record in franchise history. 

Now Huizenga has sold a good portion of the team to New York billionaire Stephen Ross, and plans to sell the rest at a later date. 

What do you think of Huizenga as an owner?  How will Ross fare as an owner?

Discuss.

[fyo]

I think Huizenga is a decent owner. He's willing to go out and get the hot coach or GM, and then stay out of it.

The recent price-raising was necessary to cover the costs of improvements. Although most fans would probably have preferred it without the improvements (and subsequent price hike), I think this was a question of Huizenga wanting to increase the value of the team, knowing he would sell at some point in the near future.

That said, it seems like he hasn't actually spent as much money on player pay as one could have expected and this may well have contributed directly to the lack of success in recent years.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

I think Huizenga is a decent owner. He's willing to go out and get the hot coach or GM, and then stay out of it.

I will never forgive him for giving Wanndouche a pass his whole stay here.  Not to mention that god-damned contract extension he gave him after yet another season without a playoff appearance.

[DolFan619]

  Well....  IT'S HERE!!!  Welcome, to Day 25 of "25 Topics, 25 Days."  That's right, the day has come and it is time for the 2008 Miami Dolphins to report to Training Camp, and it's on and popping!  The big theme around this year's Training Camp is without a shadow of doubt, is COMPETITION.  This regime has preached all offseason about how competitive this Training Camp will be.  That being said, today's topic is simply this.  Which competition in this year's Training Camp intrigues you the most?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I was going to say fullback, as Boomer Grigsby vs Regan Mauia will make for an interesting battle.  Both are hard nosed blockers that can be a battering ram out of the backfield for the RB.

But with Jason Taylor now gone, I'm going to say that outside linebacker will be the most intriguing spot opposite Joey Porter. 

Charlie Anderson?  Akin Adoyele?  Kelly Poppinga?  C'mon down!!!!  Let's see what you can do!!!!